21st Century Skills

I was glad to read that one person has the right idea with this debate about whether schools should focus on core knowledge or 21st century skills.  These two concepts are not separate from each but should be placed on a continuum and schools need to find the right balance between the two, neither one can be left out.  I was pleased to read that when parents were surveyed the majority seemed to agree with Ken Kay in that both should be taught.  It is a little discomforting that most of the key people involved in the debate are advocating solely for one or the other.
This is slightly on a side note, but the chapter had a little write-up about it so I feel the need to say a little something about it as well.  The issue of summer break being too long seems to be making a bigger splash into the education talk.  Like it was mentioned in the book, many people are concerned with the length of the break causing students to forget what they learned and as a result there is too much time spent reviewing at the beginning of the year.  Don't get me wrong, it's a valid point and I can agree with it to a certain extent.  However there has to be a better answer than shortening summer vacation.  I feel that in the fast-paced society sometimes kids are growing up too fast.  Summer vacation is great time for them to just be kids again.  Things like summer camps, which many positive impacts on kids, are hurting from this idea to shorten their vacation time.
I hope this issue of chosing between core knowledge and 21st centery skills is headed in the right direction.  It seems pretty obvious to me that we need both in the classroom, so that our students are ready to succeed outside the classroom.